THE FARR SIDE: Plenty to like on HGTV

By David T. FarrMore Content Now

Tuesday

Jun 26, 2018 at 2:00 PM

As I've gotten older, my television viewing has changed. I used to thoroughly appreciate network TV. But I'm not fond of all the police and firehouse dramas, and hospital/medical series that have monopolized prime time.

I still love reality TV programs like "American Idol," "America's Got Talent," "Big Brother" and "Survivor," but they're not the only things to watch.

I've long enjoyed watching HGTV. I have a love/hate relationship with "House Hunters." I want to scream at the TV sometimes when I see young couples who want it all and want it all right now.

It's an absolute turn-off for me when I hear the wife say, "Oh, these are not quartz countertops. I have to have quartz. These will have to be replaced right away." That's usually said minutes after she already said she doesn't cook.

Or, the husband wants a huge yard, to which the wife mentions he doesn't like to do yard work. These people usually want a place for show, for the most part.

I still like to see if they pick the house I would. But I have advice for the show's producers. When talking about affordability or budgets, it may prove to be more beneficial to talk about home insurance and property taxes. As a licensed insurance agent, I can tell you premiums can make or break a budget. Factors like the age of the home, proximity to fire departments, utility updates and more can add to cost associated with the home.

What I like most about these other programs is they can teach us to improve on the current situation. "Good Bones" and "My Hometown" do that best. These programs do an awesome job of taking a less-than-desirable-home and giving it new life. I think this is what needs to be seen more often. I'd really like to see more school districts go back to teaching building trades.

"Love It or List It" is the best. It combines the aspects of home renovations and the appeal of house hunting into one show. Hillary Farr and David Visentin are awesome. They have an awesome chemistry that offers just the right amount of friendly drama.

Hillary is a designer who takes into account what it would take to keep a current homeowner in the current home. I'd like to say that we're related, but we only share a last name.

Sometimes, homeowners are so oblivious to their own home's potential they close their mind to the possibilities. That's where Hillary's expertise amazes me. She's a person who can think outside of the box. I find myself rooting for Team Hillary most of the time.

David is an agent who tries to find homeowners a new home that will meet their needs. He's a charismatic guy and fun to watch, but I'm not always thrilled to see people leave their humble abode based on pipe dreams.

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